Writing the Synthesis Paper:The Basics

What is a synthesis paper?

• "Synthesis" is the combining of separate

elements or substances to form a coherent

whole.

• The synthesis essay is first and foremost a

persuasive argument.

• You MUST use the facts and ideas presented in

the provided sources.

Purpose of Synthesis Essay

The synthesis essay has a triple purpose. 1. It examines your ability to consider and

support a rational argument. 2. It also seeks to evaluate your ability to

absorb, understand, and employ several sources on the same topic.

3. It tests your ability to correctly cite the sources you have quoted or paraphrased in your argument.

Scoring/Rubric

To simplify the rubric, the graders are

primarily looking for three elements:

• Did the student answer the question?

• Did the writer’s point remain clear?

• Did the student use examples?

Did the student answer the question?

• Make sure to address the prompt.

• Just because your write an eloquent paper does not

guarantee that you are staying on topic.

Did the writer’s point remain clear?

• Develop your own original idea, or thesis, based on the

sources provided.

• Use the sources to support or augment your OWN

argument.

• There should be no confusion or uncertainty

• Your argument should be clear from the first point

through the conclusion.

Did the student use examples?

• The AP Synthesis Essay requires you to use

three sources.

• If you do not have specific examples, your

essay will receive no more than a lower half

score (1-4)

• DO NOT simply summarize the sources.

• You need to integrate the content of the

sources for your OWN purposes and to back

up YOUR reasoning.

Step 1: The First PageRead the initial question page carefully. There are three sections.

1. Direction: in this section you will find this crucial sentence:

Your argument should be central; the sources should support

this argument. Avoid merely summarizing sources.

• Your opinion is the most important aspect of this essay

(therefore form one!)

• The sources you present in your argument are there to

support and sustain your own ideas.

2. Introduction: its purpose is to get you thinking about the issue by making general statements about the topic. The introduction is not the prompt

3. Assignment: this is where you will find the prompt. The topic is hi-lighted in bold print. Additionally, the assignment (prompt) will state that you must “synthesize at least three of the sources for support.”

Your Turn

Take a minute to look at the first page

of your synthesis packet.

Defend, Challenge, or Qualify

Some prompts may ask you to take a position that

defends, challenges, or qualifies a claim.

Defending argument:

• Agreeing with the claim

Refuting argument:

• Disagreeing with the claim

Qualifying argument:• Agreeing with the statement, but only under certain

circumstances or for a different reason – this one is the

most challenging

• Step 2: Read the prompt and consider the question.

o Determine your opinion. (It is best to read for a purpose –finding claims with which you agree and disagree).

o It might be worth your time to consider possible ideas before reading.

• Step 3: Skim the materials and familiarize yourself with what others have written about the topic by reading the sources provided.

• Formulate your own thesis.

• You might be asked an agree/disagree question or perhaps to give a list of ideas, such as what is most important to consider in a given situation.

Steps 2 & 3: Read Prompt & Skim Materials

Your Turn

Go through steps 2 & 3

- Read through the sources

- Formulate your thesis statement

(your opinion + two or three

reasons)

Step 4: Annotate the Readings & Create a Chart

You should critically mark and annotate the passage (and possibly create a chart) by identifying three things:

1. What is the point of view, claim, or information offered?

2. Are there any “quotables” – particularly succinct (short; concise) or stimulating phrases – you can use?

• As you read, briefly list claims/information/facts in your chart that are deemed important.

• Place the sources of that information in parentheses.

• You are looking for three good ones.

Step 4: Annotate the Readings & Create a Chart

3. Do you plan to use the piece or a portion of it to support your argument in some way?

• Look for points that you agree with as well as points with which you disagree.

– Some sources can contain multiple useful facts or claims – ones that could be listed on either side of your chart.

– Remember, addressing the opposition is central to effective argumentation.

Step 5: Question the Sources

• Look at any charts and statistics.

– Do they represent any numerical changes?

– What is the presumed cause of any change?

– Might there be other causes?– Does the source’s date of publication have

an effect on the relevance of the argument? • A passage written in 1975 about

advertising is likely to be out of date today.

Your Turn

Go through steps 4 & 5

- Read through the sources again to

find information to support your

side and also the opposing side

- Write down or highlight quotes

(with citations afterwards) &

figures

- Evaluate sources and information

as you create your chart

Step Six: Reviewing Information

• Review your chart or highlighted materials.

• Decide on the ideas/concepts that you will use to support your opinion.

• How to address the opposition:– You can bring up the opposition in your thesis

statement.

– You can devote most of a body paragraph to the opposing side as long as you devote a few sentences at the end to refuting the opposition.

– You can bring up the opposition sporadically throughyour paper, refuting the points each time.

Step Seven: Writing the Essay

• Introduction

Open with an engaging hook.

Identify/clarify the issue at hand, perhaps bringing up background information on issue

Present a clear, direct thesis statement.

Body paragraphs

Topic sentence: Give one reason in support of your thesis.

Explain as necessary

Present specific supporting evidence (quotations from the provided sources – but you may also bring in other evidence).

The writer explains the significance of the specific supporting evidence (what does the evidence show or suggest as true?)

Make sure all sources are documented.

Concluding paragraph

• Draw further significance from the reasons and evidence presented.

• Bring the paper to a thoughtful ending. (Be philosophical! Show your wisdom!)

In Summary

• Understand the prompt

• Consider your opinion of the topic.

• Read the source material.– Annotate

– Chart your findings.

– Decipher the authors’ claims.

– Quote and cite interesting source material.

• Formulate your thesis.

• Begin writing– Your thesis must be clear and direct!

– Your introduction should hook your reader.

– You should provide a paragraph (when appropriate) to address the opposition.

In Summary• The Body paragraphs

– Create strong topic sentences.

• Give one reason in support of your thesis.

• Explain as necessary.

• Present supporting evidence. Be sure to DOCUMENT ALL SOURCES!

• Explain what the evidence shows or suggests as true. DO NOT interpret the source material.

• The Concluding Paragraph

– Bring the paper to a thoughtful ending.

– Your reader should be able to recall the important information you gave in your paper.

– Draw further significance from the reasons and evidence presented.

– Be philosophical & show your wisdom.

Common Problems• Do not put in so many quotes that the grader cannot find your

argument.

• Not taking a clear position or wavering between positions.

• Substituting a thesis-oriented expository essay for an argumentative essay.

• Slipping out of focus, digressing into a tangential topic that does not aid the writer’s argument.

• Misreading sources.

• Alluding to sources instead of citing them.

• Lacking development or organization.

• Providing a weak link between argument and sources.

• Displaying an immature control of writing, syntax, and mechanics.

• Offering vague generalizations.

• Simply summarizing the sources.

Common ProblemsSummarizing Your paper will sound very much like the three of four resources you’ve chosen.

You will be retelling what you learned from an article, excerpt, or a chart. Your

reader will not be able to tell what you think. In a way, you are acting like a

photocopier.

Explaining Your paper will sound like you are trying to get your reader to understand the

various resources. You are showing what you have learned, but you do not have a

point of view. You may even cite parts of an article to show what you mean, but

all you are doing is illuminating someone else’s ideas. You are acting like a tutor or

museum tour guide.

Arguing Your thesis sets up your own position, one with which someone else might

disagree. You have taken a stance. Your essay will have several (three or four)

reasons why what you say is true. Your reader will be able to find these points

easily. You are a critical thinker and persuasive writer. You are acting as an

influential leader who hopes to change the minds of his or her readers.

Your Turn

Outline your paper- Spend a few minutes on a rough outline of

your paper in this space.

- Write down ideas your main topics for each

of your two or three body paragraphs.